Reconstitution Of Mice Research Articles

Induction of Fetal Hemoglobin by Introducing Natural Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Hemoglobin Mutations in the γ-Globin Gene Promoters for Genome Editing Therapies for β-Thalassemia.

Reactivation of γ-globin expression is a promising therapeutic approach for β-hemoglobinopathies. Here, we propose a novel Cas9/AAV6-mediated genome editing strategy for the treatment of β-thalassemia: Natural HPFH mutations −113A > G, −114C > T, −117G>A, −175T > C, −195C > G, and −198T > C were introduced by homologous recombination following disruption of BCL11A binding sites in HBG1/HBG2 promoters. Precise on-target editing and significantly increased γ-globin expression during erythroid differentiation were observed in both HUDEP-2 cells and primary HSPCs from β-thalassemia major patients. Moreover, edited HSPCs maintained the capacity for long-term hematopoietic reconstitution in B-NDG hTHPO mice. This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of introducing naturally occurring HPFH mutations as a genetic therapy for β-thalassemia.

Th17-driven immunity to oral candidiasis is dependent on the microbiome and can be triggered by mono-colonization with segmented filamentous bacteria.

Abstract The opportunistic infection oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC; oral thrush) is a common oral infection among the immunocompromised. The oral cavity is a major entry portal to the body and oral health impacts several aspects of host immunity. While much is now known about microbiome dependent Th17 induction and protection against intestinal candidiasis and other Th17 driven responses, our understanding of the role of the microbiome in oral Th17 induction and oral antifungal immunity is rather rudimentary. We demonstrate a direct role for the microbiome in triggering protection against OPC. While wildtype (WT) mice raised under specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions are resistant to OPC, WT germ free (GF) mice succumbed to infection. Reconstitution of WT-GF mice with segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) was sufficient to restore protection against OPC with associated increase in Th17 cells, neutrophils, and antimicrobial responses in the oral mucosa. Thus, SFB mono-colonization in WT-GF mice triggers oral mucosal Th17 induction to protect against oral thrush and reveals a role of the microbiome in promoting oral mucosal immunity. Supported by R37-DE022550

Co-Expression of Runx1, Hoxa9, Hlf, and Hoxa7 Confers Multi-Lineage Potential on Hematopoietic Progenitors Derived From Pluripotent Stem Cells.

The intrinsic factors that determine the fundamental traits of engraftment ability and multi-lineage potential of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) remain elusive. The induction of bona fade HSCs from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in dishes is urgently demanded but remains a great challenge in translational medicine. Runx1, Hoxa9, Hlf, and Hoxa7 are developmentally co-expressed during endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition and adult haematopoiesis. However, the expression of these factors fails to be turned on during in vitro hematopoietic induction from PSCs. Here, we established an inducible gene over-expression embryonic stem cell (ESC) line in which exogenous Runx1, Hoxa9, Hlf, and Hoxa7 genes were tandemly knocked in. A population of induced hematopoietic progenitor cells (iHPCs) expressing Kit and Sca1 surface markers were successfully obtained in vitro from the gene edited-ESC line. Upon transplantation of the Runx1-Hoxa9-Hlf-Hoxa7 ESC-derived iHPCs into irradiated immunodeficient mice, they can dominantly contribute to B cells, low proportions of T cells and myeloid cells. However, Runx1-Hoxa9-Hlf ESC-derived iHPCs only produced B lineage cells with extremely low contributions. Our study unveils that the coordination of Runx1, Hoxa9, Hlf, and Hoxa7 led to generation of the hematopoietic progenitors with the capacity of multi-lineage hematopoietic reconstitution in the immunodeficient recipient mice.

A dysbiotic microbiome promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Recent studies have reported dysbiotic oral microbiota and tumor-resident bacteria in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We aimed to identify and validate oral microbial signatures in treatment-naïve HNSCC patients compared with healthy control subjects. We confirm earlier reports that the relative abundances of Lactobacillus spp. and Neisseria spp. are elevated and diminished, respectively, in human HNSCC. In parallel, we examined the disease-modifying effects of microbiota in HNSCC, through both antibiotic depletion of microbiota in an induced HNSCC mouse model (4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide, 4NQO) and reconstitution of tumor-associated microbiota in a germ-free orthotopic mouse model. We demonstrate that depletion of microbiota delays oral tumorigenesis, while microbiota transfer from mice with oral cancer accelerates tumorigenesis. Enrichment of Lactobacillus spp. was also observed in murine HNSCC, and activation of the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor was documented in both murine and human tumors. Together, our findings support the hypothesis that dysbiosis promotes HNSCC development.

Immune Reconstitution Bone Loss Exacerbates Bone Degeneration Due to Natural Aging in a Mouse Model.

Immune reconstitution bone loss (IRBL) is a common side-effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). Immune reconstitution bone loss acts through CD4+ T-cell/immune reconstitution-induced inflammation and is independent of antiviral regimen. Immune reconstitution bone loss may contribute to the high rate of bone fracture in PWH, a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Although IRBL is transient, it remains unclear whether bone recovers, or whether it is permanently denuded and further compounds bone loss associated with natural aging. We used a validated IRBL mouse model involving T-cell reconstitution of immunocompromised mice. Mice underwent cross-sectional bone phenotyping of femur and/or vertebrae between 6 and 20 months of age by microcomputed tomography (µCT) and quantitative bone histomorphometry. CD4+ T cells were purified at 20 months to quantify osteoclastogenic/inflammatory cytokine expression. Although cortical IRBL in young animals recovered with time, trabecular bone loss was permanent and exacerbated skeletal decline associated with natural aging. At 20 months of age, reconstituted CD4+ T cells express enhanced osteoclastogenic cytokines including RANKL, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A, and tumor necrosis factor-α, consistent with elevated osteoclast numbers. Immune reconstitution bone loss in the trabecular compartment is permanent and further exacerbates bone loss due to natural aging. If validated in humans, interventions to limit IRBL may be important to prevent fractures in aging PWH.

Neuropilin 1 regulates bone marrow vascular regeneration and hematopoietic reconstitution

Ionizing radiation and chemotherapy deplete hematopoietic stem cells and damage the vascular niche wherein hematopoietic stem cells reside. Hematopoietic stem cell regeneration requires signaling from an intact bone marrow (BM) vascular niche, but the mechanisms that control BM vascular niche regeneration are poorly understood. We report that BM vascular endothelial cells secrete semaphorin 3 A (SEMA3A) in response to myeloablation and SEMA3A induces p53 – mediated apoptosis in BM endothelial cells via signaling through its receptor, Neuropilin 1 (NRP1), and activation of cyclin dependent kinase 5. Endothelial cell – specific deletion of Nrp1 or Sema3a or administration of anti-NRP1 antibody suppresses BM endothelial cell apoptosis, accelerates BM vascular regeneration and concordantly drives hematopoietic reconstitution in irradiated mice. In response to NRP1 inhibition, BM endothelial cells increase expression and secretion of the Wnt signal amplifying protein, R spondin 2. Systemic administration of anti - R spondin 2 blocks HSC regeneration and hematopoietic reconstitution which otherwise occurrs in response to NRP1 inhibition. SEMA3A – NRP1 signaling promotes BM vascular regression following myelosuppression and therapeutic blockade of SEMA3A – NRP1 signaling in BM endothelial cells accelerates vascular and hematopoietic regeneration in vivo.

Pharmacological Inhibition of Luteinizing Hormone Signaling Promotes HSC Quiescence and Hematopoietic Regeneration

During hematopoiesis there is a balance between divergent functions such as self-renewal, differentiation, and proliferation. This process allows for continued blood formation throughout life as well as hematopoietic regeneration after periods of stress. It was recently shown that suppression of sex steroids, in addition to promoting T and B cell lymphopoiesis, promotes hematopoietic rejuvenation by mediating functional changes to HSC pool (Khong et al., 2015).Although those changes suggested a direct impact of testosterone on HSC function, when we examined the expression of hormone receptors on the hematopoietic compartment, we found almost no detectable expression of the androgen receptor. In contrast, expression of luteinizing hormone (LHR) was highly enriched on HSCs with nearly absent expression in downstream hematopoietic progenitor cells as well as in the stromal cell compartment. Consistent with the mouse data, high expression of LHR was also found in human HSCs (Fig. 1A). Given the peculiar expression of the LHR on HSCs, we sought to examine the direct effect of LH on HSC function. LH significantly enhanced mouse HSC colony formation in cobblestone area-forming cell and colony-forming cell assays. In addition, LH significantly expand human HSCs in a stroma-free culture system, without impacting on their colony-forming potential (Fig. 1B).Given the direct effects of LH on HSCs, we investigated if blocking LH could attenuate HSC proliferation in two different models of hematopoietic stress that force HSCs out of their quiescent status. Pharmacological suppression of LH using a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-antagonist (LHRH-Ant) inhibits HSCs from entry into cell cycle after Poly I:C and sub-lethal dose of total body irradiation (SL-TBI) exposure. Importantly, LH inhibition also significantly improved the proportion of live HSCs after SL-TBI (Fig. 1C). To gain some insights into the direct impact of LH on HSCs, we generated a hematopoietic chimera using KiLHRD582G mice, which have a constitutively-active D582G mutation in the Lhr gene. While there was no difference in primary reconstitution in mice receiving WT or KiLHRD582G HSCs, we found that mice reconstituted with KiLHRD582G and subsequently exposed to SL-TBI showed significantly higher proportion of apoptotic HSC compared to mice reconstituted with WT HSCs (Fig. 1D). To elucidate the molecular changes induced by LH inhibition, we assessed the expression of genes associated with quiescence, proliferation, DNA damage and apoptosis in HSC after SL-TBI. We found that LH suppression promoted higher levels of Hes1, Cdkn1a (p21), Bcl2 and Mcl1, genes previously identified to enforce HSC quiescence and survival (Fig. 1E). Consistent with these data, mice treated with the LHRH-Ant showed improved survival when exposed to successive doses of 5-fluorouracil, a well-established method to challenge HSC quiescence and self-renewal potential. It has been previously showing that promoting quiescence early after hematopoietic insults can mitigate HSC exhaustion and, ultimately, promote hematopoietic recovery and mouse survival. Mice receiving LHRH-Ant 24h after lethal TBI (840cGy) exposure showed a significant increase in survival compared to control animals. In fact, LH suppression spared LT-HSCs from radiation toxicity thus promoting hematopoietic recovery (Fig. 1F). Consistent with a negative role of LH on HSC recovery after radiation, mice deficient for LHR had a statistically significant increase in survival when exposed to L-TBI compared to control littermate.In conclusion our studies demonstrate that LH can directly regulate HSC quiescence, and that LH inhibition with a LHRH-Ant can be used as a radiation mitigation strategy. [Display omitted] DisclosuresJenq:Seres: Research Funding. Kiem:Rocket Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. van den Brink:Seres: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Therakos Institute: Other: Speaking engagement; PureTech Health: Consultancy.

Nutritional Support from the Intestinal Microbiota Improves Hematopoietic Reconstitution after Bone-Marrow Transplantation in Mice

Bone-marrow transplantation (BMT) offers curative potential for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies, but the post-transplantation period is characterized by profound immunodeficiency. Delayed immune reconstitution is an important contributor to transplant-related morbidity and mortality (Maury et al., Br J Haematol, 2001; Small et al., Blood, 1999). Thus, understanding the mechanisms by which the immune system reconstitutes and how environmental exposures might influence this process is an important objective in improving outcomes after BMT.The intestinal microbiota shapes both mucosal and systemic immunity and contributes to steady-state hematopoiesis (Belkaid and Hand, Cell, 2014). To determine the role of the intestinal flora in hematopoietic reconstitution following BMT, we performed syngeneic BMT after lethal irradiation in mice with an intact intestinal flora (control, C/No abx) and in mice treated with two different antibiotic (abx) regimens administered in the drinking water: ampicillin + enrofloxacin (AmpEnro/AE) or vancomycin + amikacin (VancAmik/VA). While both regimens depleted the intestinal flora 1000-fold, ampicillin and enrofloxacin are both relatively well absorbed in the intestine while vancomycin and amikacin both have poor oral bioavailability with negligible systemic effects. BMT recipients treated with either of the abx regimens had lower white blood cell (WBC) counts and, in particular, lower lymphocyte counts compared to untreated BMT recipients (Fig 1A). Fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) with an abx-resistant intestinal flora (Caballero et al., Cell Host Microbe, 2017) rescued the impaired hematopoietic reconstitution in AE-treated mice (Fig 1B). These data rule out a direct inhibitory effect of abx on hematopoietic recovery. When we examined multiple compartments of the hematopoietic cascade we observed that flora depletion significantly impaired hematopoiesis specifically in the lymphoid and myeloid compartments of the bone marrow, thymus, and peripheral blood, while the hematopoietic stem and progenitor compartment and erythroid lineage were largely unaffected. These data are summarized in a radial plot (Fig 1C) in which each compartment of the hematopoietic cascade is a spoke and the distance from the center is proportional the cell count.Treatment of mice with AmpEnro or VancAmik also reduced dietary energy uptake (Fig 1D), resulting in reduction of visceral adipose tissue (Fig 1E). The mice are normally fed a standard chow diet based on complex plant carbohydrates. To test if reduced uptake of calories in flora-depleted animals contributed to impaired hematopoiesis post-BMT, we supplemented the drinking water with 5% sucrose, a carbohydrate source that can be directly utilized by the host in the absence of microbiota metabolism. Sucrose supplementation increased peripheral WBC counts and lymphocyte counts in AE-treated mice (Fig 1F), indicating that a critical function of the intestinal microbiota in supporting hematopoiesis post-BMT is to improve dietary energy uptake.We conclude that apart from specific and direct effects of the microbiota on immuno-hematopoiesis as previously described (Balmer et al., J Immunol, 2014; Clarke et al., Nat Med, 2010; Mazmanian et al., Cell, 2005), the intestinal flora can contribute to post-transplant hematopoietic reconstitution through improved dietary energy uptake. [Display omitted] DisclosuresPeled:Seres: Research Funding. Jenq:Seres: Research Funding. van den Brink:Therakos Institute: Other: Speaking engagement; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; PureTech Health: Consultancy; Seres: Research Funding.

Mechanism of differentiation and unique repertoire of IgM secreting B-1 plasma cells

Abstract Natural antibodies are broadly reactive, mostly IgM antibodies that provide a first line of defense against pathogens. Distinct populations of fetal/neonatal-derived IgM-secreting B-1 cells, including non-terminally differentiated B-1 and B-1 plasma cells (PC) are present in bone marrow (BM) and spleen. B-1PC are transcriptionally and phenotypically similar to foreign antigen-induced, long-lived conventional PC, prompting us to hypothesize that both receive similar differentiation signals. To determine the extent to which natural IgM-producing B-1PC depend on T cell help, we studied TCRβδ−/− mice lacking either all T cells, or depleted of CD4 T cells by anti-CD4 mAb treatment. Both showed significantly reduced numbers of BM but not spleen B-1PC and slightly increased populations of B-1 cells. Consistent with those data, reconstitution of RAG-deficient mice with B-1 and CD4+ T cells, but not with B-1 cells alone, restored the BM B-1PC compartment and significantly enhanced serum IgM levels. B-1PC did not bind to PtC-containing liposomes and depletion of B-1 PC had minimal effect on the number of anti-PtC IgM ASC. In contrast, most anti-influenza natural IgM ASC were B-1PC, consistent with reduced serum levels influenza-binding natural IgM in TCRβδ−/− mice. Together, the study reveals that in contrast to previous assumptions, some natural IgM production is dependent on CD4 T cell help, suggesting that multiple mechanisms regulate induction of natural IgM secretion.

Gene replacement of α-globin with β-globin restores hemoglobin balance in β-thalassemia-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

β-Thalassemia pathology is due not only to loss of β-globin (HBB), but also to erythrotoxic accumulation and aggregation of the β-globin-binding partner, α-globin (HBA1/2). Here we describe a Cas9/AAV6-mediated genome editing strategy that can replace the entire HBA1 gene with a full-length HBB transgene in β-thalassemia-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), which is sufficient to normalize β-globin:α-globin messenger RNA and protein ratios and restore functional adult hemoglobin tetramers in patient-derived red blood cells. Edited HSPCs were capable of long-term and bilineage hematopoietic reconstitution in mice, establishing proof of concept for replacement of HBA1 with HBB as a novel therapeutic strategy for curing β-thalassemia.

Cancer and the Microbiome—Influence of the Commensal Microbiota on Cancer, Immune Responses, and Immunotherapy

The commensal microbiota has been implicated in the regulation of a diverse array of physiological processes, both within the gastrointestinal tract and at distant tissue sites. Cancer is no exception, and distinct aspects of the microbiota have been reported to have either pro- or anti-tumor effects. The functional role of the microbiota in regulating not only mucosal but also systemic immune responses has led to investigations into the impact on cancer immunotherapies, particularly with agents targeting the immunologic checkpoints PD-1 and CTLA-4. Microbial sequencing and reconstitution of germ-free mice have indicated both positive and negative regulatory bacteria likely exist, which either promote or interfere with immunotherapy efficacy. These collective findings have led to the development of clinical trials pursuing microbiome-based therapeutic interventions, with the hope of expanding immunotherapy efficacy. This review summarizes recent knowledge about the relationship between the host microbiota and cancer and anti-tumor immune response, with implications for cancer therapy.

Role of Mir-29b in T-Cell Development and in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Pathogenesis

The role of microRNA (miR) is rapidly advancing with numerous functions discovered in cancer pathogenesis. We had previously shown a significant decrease in miR-29b levels in malignant cells isolated from peripheral blood of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) (Kohnken et al. Blood, 2018). Replenishing miR-29b levels in vitro induced apoptosis in leukemic cells suggesting its role as tumor suppressor miR in CTCL patients. In this study, we focused on the role of mir-29b on early T-cell development and homeostasis using the miR-29b-/- mouse model. Using knockout mouse model, we show that the homozygous deletion of miR-29b locus results in an overall decrease in T-cell numbers and density in primary and secondary lymphoid organs. We observed an early thymic involution in miR-29b-/- mice, with a 5-fold decrease in the total number of thymocytes and altered T-cell development. Using the surface expression of CD25 and CD44 on double-negative (DN) cells, we observed significant decrease of the absolute counts in the four early differentiation stages (DN1-4) in miR-29b-/- mice compared to age-matched wild-type (WT) mice: DN1 (miR-29b-/- vs. WT: 4.5 x 105 ± 1.04 vs. 1.12 x 105 ± 0.201, N=4 and 6 respectively, p < 0.05); DN2 (miR-29b-/- vs. WT: 0.83 x 105 ± 0.07 vs. 0.051 x 105 ± 0.021, N=4 and 6 respectively, p < 0.001); DN3 (miR-29b-/- vs. WT: 4.05 x 105 ± 0.38 vs. 0.54 x 105 ± 0.16, N=4 and 6 respectively, p < 0.001) and DN4 (miR-29b-/- vs. WT: 2.871 x 105 ± 0.578 x 105 vs. 0.569 ± 0.14, N=4 and 6 respectively, p < 0.01). Furthermore, miR-29b-/- mice show a significant increase in regulatory T cells in comparison to WT mice in the spleen (miR-29b-/- vs. WT: 18.48 ± 0.89 vs. 10.89 ± 0.41, N=4 and 6 respectively, p < 0.001) thymus (miR-29b-/- vs. WT: 5.80 ± 0.44 vs. 3.65 ± 0.004, N=4 and 6 respectively, p < 0.01) and bone marrow (miR-29b-/- vs. WT: 50.04 ± 3.14 vs. 37.52 ± 3.29, N=4 and 6 respectively, p < 0.05). Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we found a framework of putative genes in miR-29b deficient T-cells that overlap with CTCL pathogenesis: Ccr7, Cd69, Cd74, and Lef-1. Among thymic T cells, Ccr7 affects physiologic homing of T-cells to lymph nodes and facilitate nodal metastasis in CTCL patients. As T-cells progenitors originate from the bone marrow, we observed a severe impairment in the progenitor cell population in miR-29b-/- mice and over 4-fold reduction in the absolute number of Lin-Sca1+ckit+ cell (miR-29b-/- vs. WT: 28.42 x 103 ± 4.13 vs. 5.98 x 103 ± 1.01, N=4 and 3 respectively, p < 0.01). Using the surface expression of CD48 and CD150 on Lin-Sca1+ckit+, we observed a significant decrease in hematopoietic stem cells and multipotent progenitor cells in miR-29b-/- mice. Since impairment in T-cells development can be linked to hematopoietic stem cell defects, we interrogated the engraftment capacity of Lin-Sca1+ckit+ cells into committed cell lineages in vivo. To evaluate whether the defect in T-cells development is due to reduced ability of precursor cells, we performed transplantation of Lin-Sca1+ckit+ cells from the bone marrow of miR-29b and WT (CD45.1) mice in lethally irradiated WT (CD45.2) mice. Our results show a significant reduction in T-cells reconstitution in mice transplanted with miR-29b-/- Lin-Sca1+ckit+ cells versus the bone marrow counterpart. These deficits in T-cells populations were observed in peripheral blood, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow in miR-29b-/- transplanted mice. ScRNA-seq profiling of Lin- bone marrow cells show significant changes in miR-29b-/- and WT mice. Among the upregulated genes in the mir-29b-/- mice, several genes showed greater than a 10-fold increase in the thymus (Ifna2, Zmynd10, Plekha4, Etl4, and Gm38004). In conclusion, our results highlight the importance of mir-29b in early defects in T-cells development and help us understand the complex miR-29b regulated cellular transformation machinery in CTCL pathogenesis, thus paving path to develop novel therapeutic approaches targeting miR-29b in CTCL therapy. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Attenuated immune control of Epstein-Barr virus in humanized mice is associated with the multiple sclerosis risk factor HLA-DR15.

Immune responses to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection synergize with the main genetic risk factor HLA-DRB1*15:01 (HLA-DR15) to increase the likelihood to develop the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS) at least sevenfold. In order to gain insights into this synergy, we investigated HLA-DR15 positive human immune compartments after reconstitution in immune-compromised mice (humanized mice) with and without EBV infection. We detected elevated activation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in HLA-DR15 donor-reconstituted humanized mice at steady state, even when compared to immune compartments carrying HLA-DRB1*04:01 (HLA-DR4), which is associated with other autoimmune diseases. Increased CD8+ T cell expansion and activation was also observed in HLA-DR15 donor-reconstituted humanized mice after EBV infection. Despite this higher immune activation, EBV viral loads were less well controlled in the context of HLA-DR15. Indeed, HLA-DR15-restricted CD4+ T cell clones recognized EBV-transformed B cell lines less efficiently and demonstrated cross-reactivity toward allogeneic target cells and one MS autoantigen. These findings suggest that EBV as one of the main environmental risk factors and HLA-DR15 as the main genetic risk factor for MS synergize by priming hyperreactive T-cell compartments, which then control the viral infection less efficiently and contain cross-reactive CD4+ T cell clones.

Matrix metalloprotease-mediated cleavage of neural glial-related cell adhesion molecules activates quiescent olfactory stem cells via EGFR

Quiescent stem cells have been found in multiple adult organs, and activation of these stem cells is critical to the restoration of damaged tissues in response to injury or stress. Existing evidence suggests that extrinsic cues from the extracellular matrix or supporting cells of various stem cell niches may interact with intrinsic components to initiate stem cell differentiation, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating their activation are not fully understood. In the present study, we find that olfactory horizontal basal cells (HBCs) are stimulated by neural glial-related cell adhesion molecules (NrCAMs). NrCAM activation requires matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). Inhibiting MMP activity or EGFR activation not only blocks HBC proliferation in the cultured olfactory organoids, but also severely suppresses HBC proliferation in the olfactory epithelium following methimazole-induced injury, resulting in a delay of olfactory mucosa reconstitution and functional recovery of the injured mice. Both NrCAMs and EGFR are expressed by the HBCs and their expression increases upon injury. Our data indicate that MMP-mediated cleavage of NrCAMs serves as an autocrine or paracrine signal that activates EGFRs on HBCs to trigger HBC proliferation and differentiation to reconstruct the entire olfactory epithelium following injury.

IL-17 sustains the plasma cell response via p38-mediated Bcl-xL RNA stability in lupus pathogenesis

Recent studies have demonstrated a central role for plasma cells in the development of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Currently, both the phenotypic features and functional regulation of autoreactive plasma cells during SLE pathogenesis remain largely unclear. In this study, we first found that a major subset of IL-17 receptor-expressing plasma cells potently produced anti-dsDNA IgG upon IL-17A (IL-17) stimulation in SLE patients and lupus mice. Using a humanized lupus mouse model, we showed that the transfer of Th17 cell-depleted PBMCs from lupus patients resulted in a significantly reduced plasma cell response and attenuated renal damage in recipient mice compared to the transfer of total SLE PBMCs. Moreover, long-term BrdU incorporation in lupus mice detected highly enriched long-lived BrdU+ subsets among IL-17 receptor-expressing plasma cells. Lupus mice deficient in IL-17 or IL-17 receptor C (IL-17RC) exhibited a diminished plasma cell response and reduced autoantibody production with attenuated renal damage, while the adoptive transfer of Th17 cells triggered the plasma cell response and renal damage in IL-17-deficient lupus mice. In reconstituted chimeric mice, IL-17RC deficiency resulted in severely impaired plasma cell generation but showed no obvious effect on germinal center B cells. Further mechanistic studies revealed that IL-17 significantly promoted plasma cell survival via p38-mediated Bcl-xL transcript stabilization. Together, our findings identified a novel function of IL-17 in enhancing plasma cell survival for autoantibody production in lupus pathogenesis, which may provide new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of SLE.

Tristetraprolin Overexpression in Non-hematopoietic Cells Protects Against Acute Lung Injury in Mice.

Tristetraprolin (TTP) is a mRNA binding protein that binds to adenylate-uridylate-rich elements within the 3′ untranslated regions of certain transcripts, such as tumor necrosis factor (Tnf) mRNA, and increases their rate of decay. Modulation of TTP expression is implicated in inflammation; however, its role in acute lung inflammation remains unknown. Accordingly, we tested the role of TTP in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. LPS-challenged TTP-knockout (TTPKO) mice, as well as myeloid cell-specific TTP-deficient (TTPmyeKO) mice, exhibited significant increases in lung injury, although these responses were more robust in the TTPKO. Mice with systemic overexpression of TTP (TTPΔARE) were protected from ALI, as indicated by significantly reduced neutrophilic infiltration, reduced levels of neutrophil chemoattractants, and histological parameters of ALI. Interestingly, while irradiated wild-type (WT) mice reconstituted with TTPKO hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) showed exaggerated ALI, their reconstitution with the TTPΔARE HPCs mitigated ALI. The reconstitution of irradiated TTPΔARE mice with HPCs from either WT or TTPΔARE donors conferred significant protection against ALI. In contrast, irradiated TTPΔARE mice reconstituted with TTPKO HPCs had exaggerated ALI, but the response was milder as compared to WT recipients that received TTPKO HPCs. Finally, the reconstitution of irradiated TTPKO recipient mice with TTPΔARE HPCs did not confer any protection to the TTPKO mice. These data together suggest that non-HPCs-specific overexpression of TTP within the lungs protects against ALI via downregulation of neutrophil chemoattractants and reduction in neutrophilic infiltration.

Abstract 1632: Long-term maintenance of human mature NK cells from hCD34+HSCs engraftment supported by immune humanized B-NDG hIL15 mice

Abstract Human HSC (hematopoietic stem cells) engrafted humanized mice are a powerful model that allows researchers to examine the human immune system and evaluate cellular immunotherapy in the preclinical stage. Successful reconstitution of the human immune system in B-NDG mice (a complete immunodeficient mouse model previously developed by Biocytogen) has been accomplished using CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. However, the species barrier between human immune cells and the mouse microenvironment can obstruct human immunity acquisition, as well as innate immune function development, in the mice upon the reconstitution of immune system. To address this issue, Biocytogen has developed and validated the B-NDG hIL15 mice that combines a B-NDG mouse background and expresses human IL15 cytokine, which plays important roles in the innate and adaptive cell homeostasis, as well as peripheral immune function. The targeting strategy stipulates the insertion of CDS region of the human IL15 gene after the 5′UTR of the mouse Il15. In this work, human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells have been successfully grafted in B-NDG hIL15 mice, to reconstitute a functional human immune system. At 4 weeks post CD34+ cell implantation, the percentage of hCD45+ cells reached over 25%, containing human T, B, and NK cells. In summary, these CD34+ reconstituted B-NDG hIL15 mice are validated to be promising tools for the efficacy study of clinically relevant therapeutic agents given the mice's long-term maintenance of human NK cells upon the reconstitution of immune system. Citation Format: Qingcong Lin, Yuting Hu, Xiaofei Zhou, Youhong Su, Yuelei Shen. Long-term maintenance of human mature NK cells from hCD34+HSCs engraftment supported by immune humanized B-NDG hIL15 mice [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1632.

Mechanism of Hematopoietic Reconstruction in Mice Treated with Danggui Buxue Decoction combined with Muscle-Derived Stem Cell Transplantation

To investigate the mechanism of hematopoietic reconstruction in mice treated with Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD) combined with the muscle-derived stem cell transplantation (MDSCT). Female Kunming mice were randomly divided into the 6 groups: irradiation model, the bone marrow transplantation, the MDSC transplantation, the DBD 1 (4.5 g/kg), 2 (13.5 g/kg), and 3 (22.5 g/kg) + MDSC transplantation. After a week of oral administration of normal saline or different doses of DBD, The mice were exposied to 8 Gy 137Cs γ ray and were followed by bone marrow or MDSC transplantation. The expression levels of Notch1, Jagged1 and Hes1 in bone marrow, thymus and spleen were measured at 3 and 8 weeks after irradiation and transplantation. In the bone marrow, 3 weeks after above-mentioned treatment, the expression of Notch1 mRNA increased obviously and the expression of Jagged1, Hes1 mRNA decreased obviously in each intervention group, compared with the irradiation model group. 8th week after treatment, the expression of Notch1 mRNA decreased obviously in each intervention group, the Jagged1 mRNA expression decreased obviously except the bone marrow group, and Hes1 mRNA expression increased (P＜0.05) in each intervention group. 3 weeks after treatment, compared with the irradiation model group, the expression of Notch1 mRNA in the thymocytes increased only in DBD1+MDSC group, Jagged1, Hes1 mRNA was increased in the MDSC transplantation group and the DBD1、2+MDSC group. 8th week after treatment, the expression of Notch1, Jagged1 mRNA expression decreased in each intervention group, the expression of Hes1 mRNA increased obviously in the MDSC transplantation group and the DBD1、2+MDSC group (P＜0.05). In the spleen, 3 weeks after treatment, the expression of Notch1, Jagged1 mRNA in the spleen of each intervention group decreased obviously, compared with the irradiation model group. The expression of Jagged1, Hes1 mRNA in each intervention group were increased obviously 8th week after treatment (P＜0.05). MDSC transplantation after pretreatment of DBD can improve the hematopoietic reconstitution in mice with lethal dose radiation damage. Notch1、Jagged1 and Hes1 play different roles in this process, but the concrete mechanism needs to be further studied.

Marginal Zone Formation Requires ACKR3 Expression on B Cells

The marginal zone (MZ) contributes to the highly organized spleen microarchitecture. We show that expression of atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) defines two equal-sized populations of mouse MZ B cells (MZBs). ACKR3 is required for development of a functional MZ and for positioning of MZBs. Deletion of ACKR3 on B cells distorts the MZ, and MZBs fail to deliver antigens to follicles, reducing humoral responses. Reconstitution of MZ-deficient CD19ko mice shows that ACKR3- MZBs can differentiate into ACKR3+ MZBs, but not vice versa. The lack of a MZ is rescued by adoptive transfer of ACKR3-sufficient, and less by ACKR3-deficient, follicular B cells (FoBs); hence, ACKR3 expression is crucial for establishment of the MZ. The inability of CD19ko mice to respond to T-independent antigen is rescued when ACKR3-proficient, but not ACKR3-deficient, FoBs are transferred. Accordingly, ACKR3-deficient FoBs are able to reconstitute the MZ if the niche is pre-established by ACKR3-proficient MZBs.

1837-P: Female Hormone Estradiol Regulates Hepatic FGF21 Expression via Wnt Pathway Activation

β-cat/TCF, formed by β-cat and a TCF family member, serves as the effector of the developmental canonical Wnt signaling cascade. β-cat/TCFs can also function as effectors of metabolic hormones or growth factors during adulthood. We have demonstrated recently that liver-specific expression of dominant-negative TCF7L2 (TCF7L2DN) led to impaired glucose disposal in both male and female mice. Increased hepatic lipogenesis, however, was observed in male but not in female mice. Our further investigations on such LTCFDN transgenic mouse model revealed the role of estradiol (E2) in stimulating β-cat/TCF activity. E2 reconstitution in WT mice with ovariectomy (OVX) restored the resistance of female mice to HFD induced body weight gain, insulin intolerance and elevation of hepatic lipogenic gene expression. Such beneficial effects of E2 reconstitution, however, were absent in LTCFDN female mice. To identify downstream metabolic effector/s of Wnt signaling in regulating hepatic lipogenesis, we assessed metabolic hormone expression in LTCFDN and WT littermates. Curiously, hepatic but not adipose tissue FGF-21 level was reduced in male LTCFDN mice. We then directly assessed the effect of E2 on hepatic FGF-21 expression. In WT mice on LFD diet, OVX leads to reduced hepatic FGF-21 mRNA and protein levels, associated with reduced circulating FGF-21 hormone level. These reduction was associated with reduced hepatic β-cat S675 phosphorylation, TCF7 and TCF7L2 expression. In WT mice on HFD, OVX also reduced hepatic FGF-21 mRNA and circulating FGF-21 hormone levels. Such reduction was also restored with E2 reconstitution. Our study hence identified that FGF-21 is likely among the downstream effectors of E2-Wnt signaling cascade in hepatic lipid homeostasis. Disclosure W. Shao: None. Y. Badakhshi: None. T. Jin: None. Funding Canadian Institutes of Health Research (PJT159735)